BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'The Boyfriend' by John Nicholl.

This is the ninth book I have read by this author. I have previously read 'Killing Evil' and 'The Doctor' (First book in the 'Dr David Galbraith' series) and 'The Wife' (Second book in the Dr Galbrailth series), 'The Father' (Third book in the Dr Galbraith series), 'The Carmarthen Murders' (First book in the 'Carmarthen Crime' series) , 'The Tywi Estuary Killings' (Second book in the 'Carmarthen Crime' series). 'The Bride' and 'The Cellar'. I would highly recommend each and every single one of them including this one!!

'The Boyfriend' discusses some topics that may upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book John Nicholl discusses/includes rape.

OMG!!!! Yet another fantastic success by John!! What a read!! Just Wow!!! This is one of the best psychological thrillers and series I have read in a long time, in fact that I have ever read!!! Clear your schedules before picking this up because you won't be able to put it down!!

If you are a crime lover then you MUST have already read at least one book by John Nicholl and if you haven't then why not?? How can you call yourself a crime lover yet not ever read a book by John the King Of Crime!! The storyline is absolutely addictive and gripping. I seriously WOULD NOT even start this book unless you have cleared your schedule because you will not be able to put it down!!! I absolutely blew through it in one sitting and it genuinely was unputdownable!!! A true page turner absolutely rammed with suspense, tension and everything you want when you read a psychological thriller. This would be absolutely amazing if turned into a movie, if done right of course!!! This is an absolutely gripping and addictive storyline.


This book is yet another absolutely gripping and addictive page turner from John Nicholl. I will say from the start that it is not for the light hearted so if you are looking for a cosy crime then this is not the book for you but if you are looking for a gritty, action packed, addictive crime then stop wasting your time reading my review and grab you copy of this book now!! I have yet to come across one of his books that I don't absolutely love!! This dark psychological thriller has the perfect amount of suspense, mystery, crime and tension to keep you absolutely hooked throughout!! I love the fact that this book is based in the Carmarthen area which is literally 10 minutes away from me by car. The fact that I recognised so many places really brought the story to life. John really describes Carmarthen, Llanelli and Ammanford perfectly and even when this book is filled with crime and murder he manages to portray the beauty of local areas. I love that John mentions the vegetarian café on Merlin's Lane in Carmarthen (Waverley Stores & Vegetarian Café in anybody is interested to know what it is called and wants to visit themselves). I'm looking forward to my own visit there are my mouth watered from John's description of the vegan mushroom burger!!! In this absolutely addictive page turner John transports his readers to Carmarthenshire where we start of by meeting 20 year old Anna Edwards who is cowering under her scum boyfriend Mark Shady. We are then transported in to the future 9 months later where we meet Detective Sergeant Raymond Lewis who is sickened, angry and shocked at the jury's not guilty verdict on Mark Shady. For anyone who has read any of John's previous books they will recognise Ray who has appeared in several of John's books. I love Ray who I have also met previously, also in 'The Cellar' and 'The Bride' and who made me laugh a few times. He reminded me of Detective Inspector Gareth Gravel from the 'Dr Galbraith' and 'Carmarthen Crime' series by John although not quite as big an attitude problem!! Ray is one of those characters that will stay with you well after finishing the book. He is not the fittest of detectives, in fact he is far from it!! He used to see things as black and white but not anymore and misses the 'good old' police days where it was easier to show criminals a lesson. If it isn't bad enough that that Shady has already been given a not guilty sentence several other times before for rape but he comes straight from the court and celebrates all over social media while also telling the world that Anna is a liar, mocking both Anna and Ray. Things go from bad to worse when Ray discovers that Shady has gone straight into a relationship with Carly, the daughter of Mike Flowers who is a DC in the Pembrokeshire Division and a friend of Ray. When Ray discovers that Shady is not just a rapist but also wanted Anna to play dead the danger increases for Carly but will she listen to her parents warning? Can Shady be stopped before he rapes again, if not worse? Well, to find out for yourself grab your copy of this gripping, chilling and page turner today and I can promise that you will not regret it!! You may even discover your new favourite author just like I did when I started reading John's books!!
With a storyline absolutely ram packed with crime, mystery, murder, suspense, tension, jaw dropping shocks and everything you could ask for in an addictive psychological page turner what are you waiting for??? It also has just the right amount of humour in to lighten the mood which I always love in crime books. Will I say more? Nope, sorry for the tease but you'll just have to pick up a copy to find out more. I can't go spoiling it for future readers now can I? I found the storyline to be unique which always a bonus with so many crime novels around it can get frustrating reading similar story lines constantly. I absolutely loved the ending which was an absolutely fantastic and unexpected twist that I would have never seen coming!!! Although, I am hoping that doesn't mean the last we will see from a certain character. I think I'll have to leave this here as I don't want to risk giving anything away but needless to say this book is an absolute must read with an unexpected ending. I would love to see this turned into a movie!!

I became completely invested in Anna very early on and my heart went out to her. I absolutely loved meeting Ray again, who I mentioned earlier, as well as Detective Inspector Laura Kesey who I also got to know from previous books. She did annoy me a bit in this book with her attitude towards Ray but I could also see her side too. I also felt her frustration that she still has not got the promotion that she has been led to believe is hers especially after she lost out on a family holiday and has had arguments with her partner Jan because of it. was rooting for him to find the answers to the questions he needed answered. It was not just Anna and Ray that I was intrigued and invested in but several of the other characters who I found to have distinctive and realistic personalities although I was not a fan of them all! Just like with the storyline the characters come to life with Iain's evocative writing skills. They are well rounded, realistic and strong making them all the more believable. All the characters may have been realistic but they were not all likeable. I was completely invested in each of the characters and just had to know what was going to happen in the end! I won't go into more details about the characters as I don't want to risk giving anything away but yet again John really has done an amazing job constructing an addictive crime thriller that you just won't be able to put down. Regardless whether you love or hate the characters each of them comes to life and had a part to play, which they did perfectly!!

I really cannot compliment and recommend this book more. It is a heart racing, nail biting, suspense packed psychological thriller that will stay with you for one hell of a long time.

Congratulations John on yet another absolutely addictive nail biting edge of your seat novel. This is exactly why you are my favourite male author!! As always I'm looking forward to reading your next page turner and success 🥂 !!!

Overall another unputdownable, heart racing, nail biting and addictive psychological thriller by the King of Crime John Nicholl!!!

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This was a great read, so much so I had trouble putting it down. Ray Lewis is a detective. Girls are being groomed, everyone knows who is the leader, but nothing ever sticks to get them convicted. Lewis is obsessed with the ring leader. Someone is out for revenge, but who? When a detective friends daughter goes missing,, they need to find her but is it too late? Ray's daughter Bronwen then goes missing, can they get to whoever is committing these heinous crimes?
Nail biter this one !!!!
Highly recommend

The Boyfriend by John Nicholl

Psychological Thriller released on April 4th, 2025

When you look for Prince Charming and that perfect fairytale romance and think you've found "the one," he turns out to be the evil villain, making your life a living nightmare. This short story will make you look a bit deeper into your next relationship, especially if it seems to be perfect. A detective that has his work cut out for him and wears his heart on his sleeve, he's worked hard to put this scumbag away. 

Don't let the name of the book think this is a fluffy romance, it's a nightmare for women. I recommend that women read more about these situations as a way to help avoid people like the MMC in this story. He is cruel, and dangerous, and needs to be put down. 
 
I think one thing that really hits home is that this sort of thing (the relationship) happens more often than not. Women are shamed into thinking it's their fault for an SA, and the narcissist monsters out there to continue to get away with it. In this day and age, it shouldn't still be happening. When women or the people they love take matters into their own hands, I do not blame them, I applaud them. 

Warning, if you have any triggers associated with SA, this story may not be for you. 

This was a quick read to add to your bookshelf but with a heavy topic. If you love thrillers and don't have triggers, give this one a go.

I was given the ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Firstly I would like to thank netgalley and Boldwood books and the brilliant author John Nicholl for an early copy of his book to read.

What a fantastic read,,hoping this book will be a continued story as fantastic characters. Anna thought Mark was the perfect boyfriend but he is a nasty piece of work,he attacked her brutally she's brave enough to take him to court. Does he get away with him and he wants to kill someone will he make his wish come true? An engaging read from the start..looking forward to reading more of his books.

Reviewd on goodreads and Amazon and waterstones.

The Boyfriend by John Nicholl was a great read and mystery that worked for me!
This book really kept the suspense alive and going.
I thoroughly enjoyed this riveting suspense book.
The Boyfriend has the right amount of plot twists, great characters, and the writing is just intriguing.
It was hard to put this one down because the writing was fantastic!

Thank You NetGalley and Boldwood Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

John Nicholl’s The Boyfriend is a chilling psychological thriller that explores obsession, manipulation, and the dark cost of misplaced trust. With a narrative as seductive as it is sinister, Nicholl masterfully unravels the illusion of the “perfect man” to reveal the nightmare lurking beneath the charm.

Anna thinks she’s found her fairy tale ending when she meets Mark—wealthy, attentive, and endlessly charismatic. He’s the kind of man who seems too good to be true, and, of course, he is. As their relationship spirals from romantic to terrifying, Anna escapes—but freedom proves to be an illusion. Mark is not a man who lets go, and he’s already lining up his next “princess.”

Nicholl’s portrayal of Mark is deeply unsettling, made more so by how easily he hides in plain sight. Through disturbing but compulsively readable prose, the novel peels back the layers of his psychopathy, exposing a predator who thrives on control and illusion. Anna is a relatable and sympathetic protagonist, and her journey—from victim to survivor—is both harrowing and compelling.

The suspense is tightly wound, and the alternating perspectives add layers of tension that make this a true page-turner. Nicholl doesn’t shy away from the darkness, and the result is a thriller that’s as much a cautionary tale as it is an edge-of-your-seat read.

The Boyfriend will grip you from the first page and leave you thinking long after the last. It’s perfect for fans of B.A. Paris and Caroline Kepnes—dark, disturbing, and all too real.

I really wanted to enjoy this but it just wasn’t my favorite. It felt like way too much of the book was dialogue about the same thing over and over & really could be condensed into something shorter or developed more so that the plot and twists are more about the story and less about hyper focusing on Mark Shady and his MO.

The Boyfriend by John Nicholl is a dark and gripping psychological thriller that is not for the faint of heart.
⚠️Trigger Warnings: s3xual @buse, physical @buse, domestic viol3nc3, manipulation, and n3crophili@.⚠️

When Anna first meets Mark Shady, she thinks he is the perfect boyfriend. He is wealthy, charming and showers her with affection and gifts. But as the relationship progresses Mark's true character comes to light and Anna is shocked to learn that her perfect boyfriend is a monster. After a particularly violent attack Anna flees and reports the crime to the police.
DS Ray Lewis tries to get Shady locked up but he is found not guilty of the assault and walks free. Lewis knows that there are many more victims that are scared to come forward and that there are many more victims that are to come. Can Lewis finally find a way to stop Shady for good before the victim is someone close to Lewis?

Wow!!! 😳 This book is dark and descriptive so definitely be aware of the TWs!! Nicholl's writing is sharp and evocative, drawing you in to a tangle of violence and manipulation. The pacing is a little bit of a slow burn but it was absolutely necessary to build up the tension and suspense. Overall definitely a must read for fans of dark and twisted thrillers!!

Thank you to NetGalley, John Nicholl, and Boldwood Books for this ARC! Publication date is April 4th 2025.

Mark Shady is the epitome of the perfect boyfriend, he's handsome, charming, charismatic and a true gentleman, until he's not, because that is all a facade to draw in the ladies, which Anna finds out to her detriment when things turn sour and he shows his true colours when he turns nasty, attacks her and then discards her, she slowly starts to rebuild her life but the next girl may not escape this evil psychopath. DS Raymond Lewis is determined to nail him before that happens.

The Boyfriend is the latest thriller by Nicholl and my first by this author. This is a fast paced read with short chapters and a well written plot. It's a dark, chilling and, at times, very uncomfortable read with some graphic detail which is definitely not for the faint hearted. I took an instant dislike to Shady, with his egotistical attitude towards women really getting under my skin and I couldn't wait for the loveable Lewis to deliver his comeuppance and wipe that smirk off his face. I felt desperately for Anna and the women that came after her, how could he continue to evade punishment, it was surely only a matter of time before someone gained retribution. This is a powerful read from a new to me author, which I highly recommend and I look forward to reading more of his work.

I'd like to thank Boldwood Books and Netgalley for inviting me to read this, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

Don't think by the title that this is a soppy love story, it is far from it! This is a dark psychological thriller that has you gripped from the outset. Mark Shady, an appropriate name if ever there were one, comes across as a very nice man and successful businessman and the perfect boyfriend material. He however has a very dark and dangerous side to him that leaves his female acquaintances fearing for their lives. Having got off with rape on previous occasions DS Ray Lewis is determined to see him behind bars once and for all and is prepared to bend the rules to do so.
This is a very fast paced and well written book that you will not want to put down despite the dark nature of the offences committed.

This is a gripping thriller with a plot filled with unexpected twists and turns.
The writing is both engaging and suspenseful, with well-developed characters that add depth to the narrative.
The pacing of the novel is perfect, with just the right amount of tension to keep readers hooked without feeling overwhelmed.
The setting is vividly described, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall reading experience.

I am an avid reader of all of John Nicholl's books and this one did not disappoint. The Boyfriend tells the story of Mark, the perfect boyfriend or so the women would be led to believe until they really get to know him, and then they wish they hadn't. How he manages to get away with what he does is horrific and as the novel progresses, his behaviour gets worse and worse. A great read and a thriller right to the end.

The Boyfriend
by John Nicholl
Pub Date: Apr 04 2025

The Boyfriend is not for the faint of heart, it's a dark psychological thriller. An absolutely gripping, fast paced story with lots of suspense and page-turning twists and turns.

Trigger Warning: The story mentions sexual abuse, physical abuse, necrophobia and domestic violence.

Synopsis: When Anna first meets Mark, she thinks he’s the perfect boyfriend. Wealthy and charming, he showers her with gifts, compliments, everything she has ever desired. But Mark is less a prince than a man with a dangerous secret, and as their love life becomes ever darker, Anna flees him.

There is nowhere safe from him, though. Not for Anna. Nor for the girlfriends who follow her.

Many Thanks to #TheBoyfriend #NetGalley and #BoldwoodBooks for the opportunity to read an E-ARC of this 5 star book!

Looking at other peoples reviews I feel like I missed something in this story. It started well with short chapters which I always enjoy. Nothing much happened but I was still interested to see where the story was going. I found that for me, things started to speed up more around half way in the book and then as quick as things heated up the book was finished. The blurb had great promise, but unfortunately for me the book just didn’t deliver what I thought.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A tense and gripping story from the start with a truly evil main character. Make sure you have plenty time to read as once you start this book you wont want to put it down until you have finished.
Many thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in return for an honest review. Five stars from me !!

The Boyfriend by John Nicholl is a dark and gripping psychological thriller that explores the terrifying side of love and obsession. The story follows Anna, who initially believes she has found the perfect partner in Mark—wealthy, charming, and seemingly everything she’s ever wanted. But as their relationship deepens, it becomes clear that Mark is hiding something much more sinister.

Nicholl's writing is taut and suspenseful, drawing readers into a web of manipulation and fear. As Anna discovers the true depths of Mark’s dangerous obsession, her attempts to escape lead to chilling consequences. The novel explores themes of control, manipulation, and the deadly consequences of love gone wrong, with a protagonist who is trapped in a nightmarish cycle of fear.

The psychological tension is palpable throughout, and the atmosphere is relentlessly tense as Anna races to protect herself from a man who is willing to do anything—no matter how extreme—to keep her under his thumb. The menacing nature of Mark’s obsession will leave readers on edge, and the twists and turns in the plot will keep them guessing until the very end.

In conclusion, The Boyfriend is a must-read for fans of dark, twist-filled thrillers. John Nicholl excels at creating complex, chilling characters, and his portrayal of Mark’s descent into obsession is haunting. This novel is perfect for those who enjoy psychological thrillers with an unpredictable, heart-pounding narrative. Fans of Freida McFadden and similar authors will find The Boyfriend a thrilling, unsettling read.

WoW! and Breathe!!!!! The Boyfriend by John Nicholl was a jaw dropping psychological thriller from start to finish and what an excellent book. But, not for the faint hearted! John is an author that will get under your skin and I can not get enough of! all his books have been a 5 star read and this one was No different! Superb read. Especially as I ended up reading The Boyfriend all day until it had finished it. . . .I ended just sitting there with a cup of cold coffee - it was hot when I made it! and thinking. . . . WoW that was good!

Now, I am looking forward to his next book. . . . . There is not another author out there that will have you thinking about what you have just read! This makes him one of the best authors out there. All his books will not disappoint they will have you sitting in the edge of your seat and you will be reading his books to the early hours of the morning! So don't start to read them just before you go to bed!!! lol

Big Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my ARC.

Twenty-year-old Anna Edwards is the latest victim of serial r@pist Mark Shady. Detective Sergeant Raymond Lewis tried to get Shady behind bars, but the system once again failed the victim and Shady walks free. This is the third time that Shady has gotten away, but Sergeant Lewis believes there are more and will be  more victims in the future. Shady's restaurant get torched and Lewis is assigned to his case and must being seek justice for Shady. While Lewis is distracted, Shady finds a new victim, Carly. She is Lewis' friend's daughter and her dad is also a cop. Lewis begins the cat and mouse game in order to find Carly. Shady is also coming after Bronwen Lewis, Lewis' own daughter.

TW ⚠️sexual abuse, necrophilia, physical abuse, domestic violence, manipulation

Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this psychological thriller!

When Anna first meets Mark, she thought he was the perfect boyfriend. Wealthy and charming, he showers her with gifts, compliments and everything she has never desired. But Mark is less a prince than a man with a dangerous secret, and as their love life becomes even darker, Anna flees him. There is nowhere safe from him, though. Not for Anna. Nor for the girlfriends who will who will follow her. Because this is a boyfriend who kills to make sure he can continue to kiss a sleeping princess.

When Mark Shady does a despicable thing to his latest girlfriend, she takes him to court, but he walks free. DS Ray Lewis was hoping Shady would be sent to prison, he's a dangerous man. Would Shady's victims ever get justice?

I liked DS Ray Lewis, he was a proper old school type of policeman, but he's nearing retirement. This is quite a dark and disturbing read about grooming and revenge. I was quickly pulled into this story, it's a chilling psychological thriller, and I could not put it down. All of the characters were likeable except for Shady who you'll love to hate.

Published 4th April 2025

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #JohnNicholl for my ARC of #TheBoyfriend in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book and read it very fast due to the nature of the books pacing and the twists, turns and dramatic irony featured. While the gruesome and gritty elements of Shady's point of view made the book difficult to read at times due to the uncomfortable feelings provoked I enjoyed the book nonetheless and felt heavily involved in the characters seeking justice for his abominable crimes and his inhumane treatment he bestowed upon his victims. As previously mentioned I found the characters realistic and enjoyed the, albeit surface level, endeavors into the problems surrounding the characters working within the police force and the incongruity between personal justice and the justice system. Although the ending was controversial it was easy to accept Shady's resolution due to the severity of his crimes drawing out the true question of what justice truly means for each individual reader in response to his fate.